Categorization of patients with peripheral artery disease by Charlson Comorbidity Index: cardiovascular disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the third leading cause of atherosclerotic morbidity. The influence of comorbidity burden on the prognosis of PAD patients is still underestimated. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is an established tool for evaluating patients’ comorbidity burden.We used the G...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
10 March 2026
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| In: |
European journal of preventive cardiology
Year: 2026, Pages: 1-12 |
| ISSN: | 2047-4881 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/eurjpc/zwag146 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag146
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| Author Notes: | Max Meertens, Volker H Schmitt, Igli Kalaja, Sascha Macherey-Meyer, Anselm A Derda, Christoph Brochhausen, Thomas Münzel, Philipp Lurz, Lukas Hobohm, Christine Espinola-Klein, and Karsten Keller |
| Summary: | Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the third leading cause of atherosclerotic morbidity. The influence of comorbidity burden on the prognosis of PAD patients is still underestimated. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is an established tool for evaluating patients’ comorbidity burden.We used the German nationwide inpatient statistics including all hospitalizations of patients admitted due to PAD in Germany 2005-22 and categorized according to CCI classes (mild: CCI score of 1-2 points, moderate: CCI score of 3-4 points, high severity: CCI score > 4 points). Overall, 3 167 987 hospitalizations of PAD patients were included in our study. Of these, 10.3% were categorized as mild, 34.3% as moderate, and 55.4% as high-severity CCI class. Comorbidity burden and particularly frequency of high-severity CCI class increased from 51.2% (2006) to 58.5% (2022). An increase in the CCI class was associated with increased likelihood of being treated endovascularly [odds ratio (OR) 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48-1.49, P < 0.001] rather than surgically (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.87-0.88, P < 0.001). An increase in the CCI class was associated with an elevated risk for major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (OR 9.66, 95% CI 9.45-9.88, P < 0.001), amputation (OR 2.82, 95% CI 2.80-2.84, P < 0.001), and in-hospital case fatality (OR 9.87, 95% CI 9.62-10.12, P < 0.001).Peripheral artery disease patients’ comorbidity burden increased during the observational period between 2005 and 2022 in Germany. Higher comorbidity burden mirrored by higher CCI class was associated with an approximately 10-fold increased risk for MACCE and in-hospital mortality. Physicians have to be aware of the impact of comorbidity burden and optimization of the comorbidities is an important focus to improve outcomes and prevent complications.Peripheral artery disease patients’ comorbidity burden increased from 2005 to 2022 in Germany. Higher comorbidity burden was associated with an increased risk for complications, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and in-hospital mortality. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 28.04.2026 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2047-4881 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/eurjpc/zwag146 |